Developmental Psychology and Health Notes

Developmental Psychology & Identity Theories

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: A structural model outlining human needs across five distinct levels:

  • 1. Physiological: Basic biological needs.
  • 2. Safe + Secure: Protection and defense.
  • 3. Love and belonging: Partner, family, and community.
  • 4. Esteem: Respected, success, and admired by others.
  • 5. Self-actualization: Becoming one's own unique self.

• Identity v. Role Confusion (Erikson's 5th Stage):

  • Developmental Stage: Adolescence.
  • Core Question: "Who am I?"
  • Identity Elements (RPEV):
  • Religious: Religious values and identity.
  • Political: Political orientation and views.
  • Ethnic: Ethnic background and identification.
  • Vocational: Career and occupational identity.
  • Emotional Identity: Concerns individual moods and emotional experiences.

• Intimacy v. Isolation (Erikson's 6th Stage):

  • Developmental Stage: Young adulthood.
  • Core Focus: Developing close relationships.
  • Fidelity: Defined as faithfulness.
  • Gender Differences in Intimacy:
  • Women: More intimate and emotional.
  • Men: Less expressive and prone to aggression.

• Intelligence Types:

  • Fluid Intelligence: Spontaneous ability to think quickly.
  • Crystallized Intelligence: Knowledge and skills accumulated through experience.

• Personality Profiles:

  • Type A: Impatient, ambitious, and competitive.
  • Type B: Relaxed, patient, and less competitive.
  • Narcissist: Characterized by displayed self-importance, entitlement, and a need for admiration.

Human Anatomy, Physiology, & Health Conditions

• Nervous System & Brain Function:

  • Neurons: Specialized nerve cells that transmit information.
  • Aging & Cognition: Aging can involve a decrease in brain function, specifically impacting processing speed, memory, and reaction time.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Brain damage caused by external physical force.
  • Subdural Hematoma: Blood collects between the dura mater and the brain.
  • Substance Abuse & Cognitive Decline: Alcohol abuse leads to Vitamin $B_1$ deficiency (thiamine), which causes Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (characterized by cognitive problems and the death of brain cells).

• Ophthalmology & Visual Health:

  • Presbyopia: Age-related difficulty focusing on nearby objects (aging eyes cannot see close).
  • Cataracts: Clouding of the eye's lens.
  • Lasik: Laser procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct vision.
  • PRK: Laser vision-correction procedure that also reshapes the cornea.
  • Glaucoma: Buildup of fluid in the eye that damages the optic nerve.
  • Macular Degeneration: Deterioration of the retina.

• Auditory & Musculoskeletal System:

  • Hearing Changes: Aging can alter hearing, making it hard to hear higher pitches.
  • Vertebrae Compression: Aging leads to condensed vertebrae, causing height loss.
  • Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spine.

• Reproductive & Hormonal Health:

  • Prostate Gland: Walnut-sized gland in males located below the bladder.
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): Blood test used to evaluate prostate health.
  • Andropause: Age-related decline of testosterone in males.
  • Erectile Dysfunction: Difficulty getting and maintaining an erection.
  • Menopause: End of menstrual periods and the reproductive phase, accompanied by decreased estrogen and progesterone.
  • Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus.

• Cardiovascular & Sleep Health:

  • Hypertension: High blood pressure.
  • Hypotension: Low blood pressure.
  • Sleep Apnea: Interruptions of breathing during sleep.
  • Narcolepsy: Excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.

• Oncology & Immunological Health:

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Virus that attacks the immune system.
  • Sarcoma: Cancer of the connective tissue.

• General Health Data & Statistics:

  • Weight Statistics: $\frac{2}{3}$ of adults are overweight.
  • Fall Risks: Approximately $\frac{1}{4}$ of adults aged $65+$ experience a fall.

Neurocognitive & Psychiatric Disorders

• Neurocognitive Disorders (NCD): Clinical disorders involving a decline in cognitive functioning.

  • Alzheimer's Disease: NCD causing progressive decline in memory, thinking, and general functioning.
  • Famous Example: Ronal Reagan.
  • Parkinson's Disease: NCD causing tremors, rigidity, and slowed movement.
  • Famous Examples: Muhammad Ali, Michael J. Fox.
  • Lewy Body Disease: NCD characterized by abnormal Lewy bodies.
  • Famous Example: Robin Williams.

• Psychiatric Disorders:

  • Schizophrenia: Disorder characterized by a loss of thought process.
  • Famous Example: Vincent Van Gogh.
  • Bipolar Disorder: Mood disorder characterized by episodes of mood elevation/mania and depression.

Death, Dying, & End-of-Life Care

• Elisabeth Kubler Ross: Leader in "Death and Dying" theory who developed the 5 stages of grief model.

  • 5 Stages of Grief:
  1. Denial
  2. Anger
  3. Bargaining
  4. Depression
  5. Acceptance

• Lifespan Statistics:

  • Average Lifespan: $78\text{--}81$ years.
  • Oldest Human: $122$ years.

• End-of-Life Care & Euthanasia:

  • Hospice: Healthcare specialization dedicated to supporting end of life due to terminal illness.
  • Euthanasia: Defined as mercy killing. Oregon is the number $1$ state user of euthanasia.
  • Jack Kervorkian: Proponent of euthanasia, known by the epithet "Dr. Death".